Electrically actuated sprinkler

ABSTRACT

An electrically responsive heat generating device for use with existing thermally sensitive sprinkler heads for individually or collectively activating the sprinkler heads in response to electrical stimuli from smoke detectors, heat detectors or other alarm circuits. The sprinkler release incorporates a mounting bracket to overfit the sprinkler head body or other fixed construction to position a heat generating device to impinge adequate heat upon the sprinkler fusible elements to activate the sprinkler head.

United States Patent I [191 Rothman 'et a],

ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED SPRINKLER ple, both of Paoli, Pa.

Apr. 26, 1971 Inventors: Allan J. Rothman; .1. Brooks Sem- Assignee: S. R. Products Inc., Mendenhall, Pa.

Filed:

Appl.

11.8. C1 ..l69/37, 169/2 R, 169/19,

. References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1m. (21..., ..A62c 37/08 Field of Search ..l69/2 R, 16, 19,

10/1942 Lewis ..169/l6 12/1966 Merrill ..169/42X [451 Apr. W, 1973 2,654,082 9/1953 Cahusac et a1 ..l69/2 R X 1,392,593 10/1921 Newton ..169/38 1,450,219 4/1923 Newton l 69/ 38 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Reinhold W. Thieme Attorney-Karl L. Spivak 57 ABSTRACT 7 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDAPRIOIQB 3,726,344

sum 1 OF 2 lp lll 03 I, j% oo INVENTORS. ALLAN J. ROTHMAN J. BROOKS SEMPLE BY aM/K W ATTOR N E Y.

PAIEMWFM B B 3, 4

- SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTORS. ALLAN J. ROTHMAN J. BROOKS SEMPLE BY K W ATTOR NFY.

ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED SPRINKLER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the general field of safety devices, and more particularly, is directed to an attachment for electrically actuating sprinkler heads of all commonly employed designs.

Sprinkler systems have been employed for fire protection purposes for many years and have generally been recognized both nationally and internationally for their ability to greatly reduce property losses from fire. The beneficial effectof sprinkler systems are well recognized by governmental agencies and insurance carriers to the extent that different less costly construction standards are generally permitted in fully sprinklered buildings. Additionally, in most instances, insurance rates are substantially lower in sprinklered buildings. All of the foregoing considerations, however,

have been based strictly upon reduced property losses from fire due to the effectiveness of sprinkler systems. While sprinkler installations are quite successful in reducing property losses from fires, it is recognized that the reaction time of the individual sprinkler heads which are generally in use is normally insufficient to protect the lives of those who might be present in the zone of fire origin. Prior workers in the art have developed a wide variety of thermally responsive sprinkler heads. Most prior art sprinklerheads of which we are familiar, incorporate fusible means which melt upon the application of sufficient heat. Fusible elements have been developed which have a wide range of operating temperatures and other design features to render sprinkler heads widely adaptable to various operating temperatures and conditions.

All of the prior art sprinkler heads of which we are aware have been designed to react thermally in response to the heat generated by a fire in the immediate vicinity. Experience with prior art devices has proved that the average sprinkler head as presently in use and as generally approved by governmental agencies and insurance carriers will not react to the heat of fire until approximately minutes have elapsed after the first visible fire appears. In addition, there are many reported instances of smouldering type fires which smoke for hours with no effect whatsoever on presently available sprinkler heads.

Recently, tests have been conducted and investigations have been made of actual fires and it has been determined that in most instances, the buildings subject to fire become untenable from smoke long before they are untenable due to the elevated temperatures of a fire. Because of this added awareness, much though has been given recently to personnel protection in buildings. In accordance with these recent studies, safety from smoke considerations now form an important building design perameter. However, despite the knowledge that smoke can be a killer, to this date, no satisfactory extinguishing system has been developed to actually react rapidly to the presence of smoke to thereby extinguish the fire and prevent the further spread of smoke throughout the building. Numerous v smoke detection devices have been developed and are in general use, but such prior art smoke detection systems have until now been employed only to trigger alarm systems to thereby warn building occupants. No system has heretofore been available to permit a detector of smoke or heat to trigger any occupant protective system.

Prior art sprinkler systems have included deluge type systems whereby a single deluge valve has been utilized to release water to an entire piping system comprising multiple heads. Such a system could be connected to a smoke detection system of known design. However, such a combination would generally result in a substantial over-reaction, since the detection system could locate and identify a fire at a very early stage. At such early stage of fire, it would only be necessary in a great majority of cases to release but a single head to accomplish complete extinguishment of the fire. It is for this specific purpose that the present invention has been developed. By utilizing the electrically actuated sprinkler head release of the present invention, fires could be detected at early stages by prior art detection devices and then the fires could be extinguished by activating one or more sprinkler heads individually through the electrical stimuli generated by smoke detectors or other detection devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally in improvements in actuating sprinkler system heads and more particularly is directed to an electrically actuated sprinkler head release which is rapidly responsive to the presence of smoke or heat within a building or other protected area.

The rapid detection and prompt extinguishment of smoke and fumes by early release of a sprinkler head in sprinklered buildings can save precious moments that may make the difference between life and death for the occupants in the immediate fire zone or in building areas surrounding the fire zone. The electrically actuated sprinkler head release of the present invention will furnish an effective, low cost solution to the problem of providing rapid sprinkler reaction to extinguish fires in the very early stages. In addition to saving lives, the present system will result in substantial reduction of property losses which would normally result from fire and water damage.

The instant device is highly sensitive and is rapidly responsive to electrical signals which permit operation of the device in combination with a wide variety of smoke and tire detecting instruments that are currently available. For example, an ionization detector or heat detector of known design could be located in a critical space of a building and could be wired to furnish a small electrical current to a single or to a plurality of electrically actuated sprinkler head releases in accordance with the present design. In most instances, a single electrically actuated sprinkler head release wired to single detection devices which are .positioned in critical areas spotted throughout the building would provide maximum early fire detection and extinguishment and at the same time, minimize water damage from the release of multiple sprinkler heads, such as is common in prior art practice.

The present device incorporates a heat generating element which is responsive to actuation by relatively small external electrical stimuli. The device includes a mounting bracket which is designed for the particular make and model of sprinkler head upon which the device is to be mounted. The device further includes an which will function upon the application of electrical stimuli and release the extinguishing capacity of sprinkler heads of all known prior art design. It is contemplated that the electrically actuated sprinkler head release in accordance with the present disclosure will be universally applicable to all prior art sprinkler heads which are connected to either water or gaseous type extinguishing systems. The use of the present electrically actuated sprinkler head release will permit substantially instantaneous extinguishing reaction to the presence of fire in its insipient stages when connected to early warning type detectors, such as ionization type devices.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel, electrically actuated sprinkler head release of the type set forth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel electrically actuated sprinkler head release capable of initiating the operation of an individual sprinkler head upon the occurrence of any undesirable, detectable change in environmental conditions such as smoke, heat or rate of rise of temperature.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, electrically actuated sprinkler head release which is responsive to a variety of smoke and fire detecting devices and which is designed to actuate sprinkler heads. I

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, electrically actuated sprinkler head release which includes an electrical transducer capable of changing electrical energy into heat energy to thereby melt fusible material in a sprinkler head for release of fire extinguishing media.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, electrically actuated sprinkler head release that is suitable for operation with either self contained or remotely located environmental change detectors which are capable of producing sufficient electrical energy for electrical transducer operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, electrically actuated sprinkler head release that is rugged in construction, simple in design, and trouble free when in operation.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an electrically actuated sprinkler head release in accordance with the present invention applied to a sprinkler head.

FIG. 2 is an elevational front elevation view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view taken along Line 33 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the heat generating means illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of electrically actuated sprinkler head release applied to a modified sprinkler head.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 6- 6 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified electrically actuated sprinkler head release.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view taken along Line 8- 8 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram of the device installed in a detection system to prevent unauthorized persons from tampering with the sprinkler relief mechanism after it has been applied to the sprinkler head.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of our invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, we show in FIG. 1 an electrically actuated sprinkler head release which is generally designated 10 as applied to a sprinkler head 12 of conventional design. The sprinkler release 10 includes heat generating means 14 which are associated within a mounting bracket 16 for positioning upon portions of the sprinkler head 12; for example, at the wrench flat 18. A set screw 20 may be employed in conventional manner to positively secure the mounting bracket 16 to the sprinkler head construction 12.

Preferably, the mounting bracket 16 is fabricated of sturdy, environmental resistant material such as cast iron or cast brass to assure long life when in use. In the interest of prevention of possible tampering, it is desirable to fabricate the set screw 20 with a one way slot 22.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the mounting bracket 16 integrally incorporates a pair of mounting arms 24, 26 and a heat generating means support bar 28 which carries the heat generating means 14 in position for sprinkler head activation as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The mounting bracket 16 may be adapted to mount upon the base or other portion of a sprinkler head 12 to position the heat generating means 14 in precise location to impinge upon the fusible element 30 of the sprinkler head 12. The mounting bracket 16 may include the mounting arms 24, 26 for affixing to the wrench flat 18 of the sprinkler head 12 as in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 8 or may be affixed to the water deflector 32 as in FIG. 7 or to any other fixed position including the water supply pipe (not shown) which enables positioning the heat generating means 14 for operation with the sprinkler head fusible element 30. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8, the mounting bracket 16 securely mounts upon the wrench flat 18 of the sprinkler head 12 and has its mounting arms 24, 26

custom fabricated to fit the configuration of approved sprinkler heads of various manufacturers. In the embodiments illustrated, the arms 24, 26 terminate forwardly in locating flanges 34, 36 which serve to precisely position the arms 24, 26 with respect to the sprinkler head wrench flat 18. In this manner, the heat generating means 14 may be properly located with respect to the fusible element to direct heat upon the fusible element 30 upon activation of the sprinkler release 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a sprinkler head 12 of the usual arm and lever type, such as manufactured by Automatic Sprinkler Company of Youngstown, Ohio is illustrated having the activating linkage 38, 40 retained in aligned position bythe fusible element 30 which is of conventional design and which is normally fabricated to fuse at a fixed temperature, for example, 165 F. In accordance with well known principles of sprinkler head design fusing of the fusible element 30 will release the activating linkage 38, 40 to permit the plug 42 to ride free of its seat (not shown). Water will then flow through the sprinkler head through the water inlet 44 in the usual manner for fire extinguishing purposes.

The mounting arms 24, 26 and the integral support bar 28 cooperate to position the heat generating means in proximity to the fusible element 30 in a manner to impinge the heat produced by the heat generating means 14 directly upon the fusible element 30 to thereby rapidly melt the fusible material. Accordingly, activation of the heat generating means 14 produces sufficient heat to fuse the fusible element 30, thereby allowing the activating linkage 38, 40 to separate in the usual manner to free the plug 42 from its seat for sprinkler activation purposes.

The support bar 28 is drilled or otherwise treated to low, cylindrical configuration and defines an axially aligned passage 68 which forwardly aligns with the jacket opening 54 for heat direction purposes. A chemical ignition capsule 70 of known design and composed of materials suitable to rapidly ignite the heat generating composition 66 positions within the axially aligned passage 68 and is retained therein in stable manner by the ignition mounting jacket 72. The jacket 72 has its flange 73 interposed between rearward end of the heat generating composition 66 and the forward end of the potting compound 106 which fills the rearward portion 62 at its connection with the forward portion 48. The potting compound 106 may be formed of epoxy plastic in usual manner and seals the ignition wires therewithin. The ignition wires 98, 100 serve to ignite the chemical ignition capsule 70 in conventional manner upon application of electrical stimuli at the conductor terminals 104, 102 when the electrical circuit 82 is activated as hereinafter more fully set forth. The terminals 102, 104 also embed within the potting compound 106 in conventional manner to provide a stable, extremely dependable ignition system.

The ignition mounting jacket 72 has an opening 96 formed in its forwardmost end 97 and the opening 96 axially aligns within the passage 68 and is preferably concentric with the cylindrical jacket opening 54. Trigprovide an opening 46 to receive the forward portion 48 of the heat generating means 14 therein. A lock nut 50 secures the forward portion 48 within the support bar opening 46 to position the heat generating means 14 in proper location to directly impinge the generated heat upon the fusible element 30. Preferably, the lock nut 50 is a one-way spring nut of known design which serves to tighten the forward portion 48 within the opening 46 in conventional manner and further serves to discourage tampering with the installation so that unauthorized personnel cannot easily dismantle the apparatus after installation. v

Referring now to FIG. 4, a heat generating means 14 is illustrated in detail and includes a jacket 52 having cylindrical sidewalls 58 which may be formed of sheet steel of suitable gauge in well known manner. An axially aligned opening 54 is provided in the end 56of the jacket for jet emitting purposes as hereinafter more fully described. The jacket cylindrical sidewalls 58 terminate rearwardly in an annular flange 60 to facilitate connection to the electrical connection rearward portion 62. A seal 64 composed of low temperature solder or similar material inwardly covers the jacket end 56 and serves to temporarily seal the opening 54 until activation of the device. A heat generating composition 66 comprised of conventional components suitable to rapidly build up sufficient heat for fusible element melting purposes after ignition inwardly applies about the cylindrical jacket sidewall 58 in the form of a ho]- gering of the ignition capsule substantially instantaneously generates sufficient quantities of heat to ignite the heat generating composition 66. The hollow cylindrical configuration of the heat generating composition 66 serves to ignite the entire interior surface 67 of the composition 66 about the periphery of the axially aligned passage 68 to speed up ignition of the entire heat generating composition to thereby produce an extremely rapid temperature rise within the jacket 52. The rapid buildup of heat interiorally of the jacket 52 fuses the seal 64 to thereby expose the opening 54 to the forces generated by the ignition of the heat generating composition 66. The buildup of forces generated by the ignition of the chemical ignition capsule 70 and the heat generating composition 66 rapidly build up within the interior of the cylindrical jacket 52 and exit the jacket through the exposed opening 54 in a directional jet. By positioning the end 56 of the jacket 52 in proximity to the sprinkler head fusible element 30 and by aligning the longitudinal axis of the heat generating means 14 with the fusible element 30 by means of the mounting bracket 16, the heat jet generated by the ignition of the heat generating composition 66 will be directed to impinge upon the fusible element 30. In this manner, the heat produced by the heat generating means 14 will be directed positivelyupon the fusible element 30 to thereby quickly melt the fusible element to cause separation of the activating linkage 38, 40 for sprinkler operational purposes.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 8, we show the heat generating means 14 applied to a modified sprinkler head 12' to illustrate the universal applicability of the device. In the illustrations shown, the sprinkler head 12 is of the type commonly referred to as a strut type sprinkler such as manufactured by Star Sprinkler Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the embodiment illustrated, the fusible element 30 is contained within an upright strut 76 which serves to retain 'the plug 42' in position until such time as sufficient heat is introduced in proximity to the fusible material 30' to melt the fusible material to release the plug 42' for water passage through the water inlet 44' in well known manner.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, a modified mounting bracket 16 affixes to the wrench fiat 18 of the sprinkler head 12 by means of a one-way set screw 20' in the manner hereinbefore described. The mounting arms 24', 26 bifurcate and securely affix to the wrench flat 18' in secure manner. The mounting arms 24', 26' similarly terminate forwardly in the locating flanges 34', 36 for sprinkler head affixing purposes. The mounting arms 24', 26' integrally terminate rearwardly in the support bar 28 which secures the heat generating means 14 therein in tamperproof manner, such as by a one way lock nut 50'. The heat generating means 14 securely connect to the mounting bracket 16' which directs the end 56' of the heat generating means toward the strut 76 for fusion of the fusible element 30'. Activation of the heat generating means 14 through function of the electrical circuit 82 ignites the heat generating composition 66 within the heat generating means 14 to thereby direct a heat jet against the strut 76 for sprinkler operational purposes.

Referring now to FIG. 7, we show a heat generating means 14 applied to the modified sprinkler head 12' by a modified mounting bracket 16" which secures to the water deflector 32' by means of the mounting bolts 78, 80. Preferably, the mounting bolts 78, 80 are fabricated with one-way heads to discourage tampering with the device after installation. The modified mounting arm 24" angularly depends from the water deflector 32' and terminates downwardly in the modified support bar 28" which serves to position the heat generating means 14 in the correct location to impinge its heat jet directly upon the strut 76 in the manner hereinbefore described. Similarly, a one way lock nut 50" is employed to affix the heat generating means 14 to the support bar 28" in a manner to discourage tampering or altering after installation.

It will be appreciated that only two distinct types of sprinkler heads 12, 12' have been described herein for purposes of illustration. However, the heat generating means 14 may be rendered equally applicable to sprinkler heads of varying designs by employing mounting brackets 16, 16', 16" of varying configurations as necessary to securely mount upon the sprinkler head construction or other permanent construction in amanner to direct the heat jet generated by the heat generating means 14 directly against the fusible element 30, 30'. Thus, it is contemplated that the invention can be rendered equally applicable to all known types of existing sprinkler designs and also to such sprinkler head designs as may be developed in the future. By providing a tailored-mounting bracket for each major manufacturer's product, universally applicable, electrically actuated, sprinkler head releases may be produced for operation either with an existing sprinkler system or with newly installed and designed sprinkler systems.

In order to use our invention, the mounting bracket 16, 16' or 16" should first be mounted upon the wrench flat 18, the water deflector 32 or other fixed construction such as the water supply pipe (not shown) to enable positioning the heat generating means 14 in the proper location to direct a heat jet to impinge upon the fusible element 30 or 30 of a sprinkler head 12, 12'.

As best seen in FIG. 9, the electrical circuit 82 to ignite the chemical ignition capsule upon receipt of electrical stimuli from the electrical circuit 82 is illustrated. The electrical circuit 82 has its terminals 92, 94 connected to a usual source of 1 10 volt alternating current in well known manner. The 110 volt current is connected to high voltage windings of a step down transformer 88. The low voltage windings of the transfonner energize the circuit 82 at the desired voltage for triggering the heat generating means 14. A smoke detector 84 connects in series in the electrical circuit 82 in the usual manner to energize the circuit 82 upon sensing the presence of a predetermined quantity of smoke. Activating the smoke detector 84 will cause current to flow to the conductors 98, 100 to trigger the chemical ignition capsule 70 within the heat generating means 14 to thereby ignite the heat generating composition 66. Alternately, the environmental sensing device could be a heat detector 86 of well known type if so desired. Altemately, a manual switch such as a push button 90 could be connected in series in the circuit 82 to thereby trigger the heat generating means 14 manually if so desired.

Thus, by positioning a circuit activating device 84, 86 or 90 in series in the electrical circuit 82, the heat generating means 14 can be rendered responsive to function of a smoke detector, a heat detector, a manual push button or other circuit activating device. By positioning a device such as a smoke detector 84 within a room (not shown) and then wiring the electrical circuit 82 to heat generating means 14 affixed to one or more sprinkler heads 12 within the room, the sprinkler head or heads so wired could be made substantially instantaneously responsive to function of a smoke detector 84. By utilizing the present device, it will be possible to actuate one or more sprinkler heads rapidly in response to environmental conditions such as smoke or heat without the necessity of awaiting the necessary period for heat to build up within the area to a sufficient degree as to melt the fusible elements 30 of various sprinkler heads 12.

We claim:

1. In an electrically actuated sprinkler head release, adapted for use with an individual sprinkler head having a fusible element, a body and a water deflector the combination of A. mounting means for positioning the release in proximity to the sprinkler head 1. said mounting means being of configuration to assure firm mounting of release,

2. said release having a forward portion and a rearward portion, said mounting means directing the forward portion of the release toward the sprinkler head at the said fusible element thereof; and

8. heat generating means associated with the said mounting means,

1. said heat generating means being capable of generating sufficient heat to melt said sprinkler head fusible element,

2. said heat generating means being positioned within said release,

3. said heat generating means including a jacket having sidewalls, a forward end wall and a heat generating composition contained within the jacket.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the jacket is cylindrically formed and the heat generating composition is cylindrically formed.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the forward end wall is provided with an opening, the said opening being covered bya fusible seal.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the said heat generating means define an interior passage, the said passage being axially aligned with the said opening.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein heat generated by the heat generating means exits the jacket through the opening and impinges upon the fusible element.

6. The invention of claim ll wherein the mounting means comprise a mounting bracket which integrally incorporates a pair of mounting arms and a heat generating means support bar, said mounting arms being secured to the said sprinkler head body and said release being carried by the heat generating means sup port bar. I

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprise amounting arm and an integral support bar, said mounting arm being secured to the water deflector and depending therefrom and the said release being carried by the said support bar. 

1. In an electrically actuated sprinkler head release, adapted for use with an individual sprinkler head having a fusible element, a body and a water deflector the combination of A. mounting means for positioning the release in proximity to the sprinkler head
 1. said mounting means being of configuration to assure firm mounting of release,
 2. said release having a forward portion and a rearward portion, said mounting means directing the forward portion of the release toward the sprinkler head at the said fusible element thereof; and B. heat generating means associated with the said mounting means,
 1. said heat generating means being capable of generating sufficient heat to melt said sprinkler head fusible element,
 2. said heat generating means being positioned within said release,
 3. said heat generating means including a jacket having sidewalls, a forward end wall and a heat generating composition contained within the jacket.
 2. said release having a forward portion and a rearward portion, said mounting means directing the forward portion of the release toward the sprinkler head at the said fusible element thereof; and B. heat generating means associated with the said mounting means,
 2. said heat generating means being positioned within said release,
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the jacket is cylindrically formed and the heat generating composition is cylindrically formed.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the forward end wall is provided with an opening, the said opening being covered by a fusible seal.
 3. said heat generating means including a jacket having sidewalls, a forward end wall and a heat generating composition contained within the jacket.
 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the said heat generating means define an interior passage, the said passage being axially aligned with the said opening.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein heat generated by the heat generating means exits the jacket through the opening and impinges upon the fusible element.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprise a mounting bracket which integrally incorporates a pair of mounting arms and a heat generating means support bar, said mounting arms being secured to the said sprinkler head body and said release being carried by the heat generating means support bar.
 7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprise a mounting arm and an integral support bar, said mounting arm being secured to the water deflector and depending therefrom and the said release being carried by the said support bar. 